The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Please answer the following questions in complete sentences using evidence from the text on your
own paper.
Chapter 1: How Nobody Came to the Graveyard pages 2-34
1. Atmosphere is the tone or mood of a story. Describe the atmosphere in the first few pages. How
does Neil Gaiman create this atmosphere?
2. How does the man Jack track the baby?
3. What do the ghosts who scare the Owens look like? What is the difference between old and
new ghosts?
4. How is Silas different from the graveyard’s residents?
5. What role did the Lady in Grey play in setting the decision of the graveyard folk as to whether or
not they should keep the child? What was their decision?
Chapter 2: The New Friend pages 35-60
1.
2.
3.
4.
What reason did Silas give as to why Bod wasn’t allowed out of the graveyard?
What special abilities does the Freedom of the Graveyard give Bod?
Who is Scarlett Amber Perkins?
Describe the “scarecrow” in the underground chamber. What is its purpose? Why weren’t Bod
and Scarlett afraid?
5. Describe the fate of the farmer who entered the hill in which the Celt was buried, and the young
man who dreamed of riches.
6. Why is Scarlett’s family leaving?
Chapter 3: The Hounds of God pages 61-98
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How can someone tell which grave in a cemetery belongs to the ghouls?
Why must Silas leave? How did Bod feel about this? How do you know?
What are the Duke of Westminster, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Archibald Fitzhugh?
Where are Bod’s new friends taking him?
How do the night-gaunts help Bod three times? Describe all three times.
What is Miss Lupesco? How does Bod’s impression of Miss Lupesco change during the chapter
and why?
Chapter 4: The Witch’s Headstone pages 99-143
1. What is “unconsecrated ground”? What kinds of people are buried there?
2. What is “Fading”?
3. How does Bod plan to make Liza Hempstock smile? How did he think he would get the funds to
do this?
4. Write a brief synopsis of Bod’s ill-fated encounter with Abanazer Bolger.
5. Explain how the author reintroduces Jack to the story.
6. What impression does Abanazer leave the reader regarding Jack?
Chapter 5: Danse Macabre pages 144-165
1. Using BYOD investigate the meaning of “Danse Macabre” as a French expression and explain it.
2. Why can’t Silas dance the Macabray?
Interlude: The Convocation pages 166-173
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What task must the man Jack complete? Who does this not bode well for?
What clue do we have in this chapter that the meeting may have taken place in Europe?
What kind of group meeting was in the Washington Room that night?
How does this short chapter add a renewed sense of drama to the plot?
Three men are mentioned as being present at Jack’s table but “were making a point of not
listening to Jack’s conversation.” What indicates that they were indeed listening? Why do you
think they pretended to not listen?
Chapter 6: Nobody Owens’ School Days pages 174-210
1.
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3.
4.
5.
6.
How long has Bod now lived in the graveyard?
Why did Bod want to attend school so badly, and why did Silas object?
What special abilities does Bod use to get rid of Mo and Nick when they follow him after school?
Why had the police gotten so involved when Mo called in her complain about Bod?
Describe Silas’ strategy in getting Bod away from the police.
Describe your feelings regarding Bod’s final meeting with Mo in this chapter. Do you think it was
necessary? Why or why not?
Chapter 7: Every Man Jack pages 211-294
1.
2.
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5.
6.
7.
Why don’t Bod and Fortinbras Bartleby have much to say to each other anymore?
What excuse did Ms. Owens give Bod as to why Silas hadn’t killed Jack?
According to Bod, why hasn’t Silas told him everything about the man who killed his family?
What does Scarlett discover about Mr. Frost’s house?
What advice did Bod ask of the Sleer? What was their response?
How does Bod get rid of Mr. Dandy and the other two Jacks with him?
Describe how Bod was able to get the white-haired man to tell him the reason why his family
had been killed. Why had Bod’s family been killed?
8. What was the mission of Silas and Miss Lupescu? What happened to Miss Lupescu
Chapter 8: Leavings and Partings pages 295-307
1. Why is Bod having difficulty seeing the dark when Silas takes him inside the chapel?
2. What is Bod going to do once he leaves the graveyard?
3. What was Ms. Owen’s able to remember as she is saying good-bye to Bod?
Additional Information about the novel and the author
http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/The+Graveyard+Book/